Lateral roller track guide



June 20, 1961 w. L. DEYsHER ETAL 2,989,351

LATERAL ROLLER TRACK GUIDE Filed sept. 20, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 20, 1961 w. L. DEYsHER ErAL 2,989,351

LATERAL ROLLER TRACK GUIDE Filed Sept. 20, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent O Calif.

Filed Sept. 20, 1960, Ser. No. 57,201 11 Claims. (Cl. S05-28) This invention relates generally to the tracks of bulldozers, tractors, and similar machines and, more specilically, the instant invention pertains to an attachment for a machine of this type, and comprises a continuation-inpart of my co-pending application bearing the same title, Serial No. 732,693, tiled May 2, 1958.

As will be seen, as the present specification progresses, the attachment, according to this invention is designed for use on tracks of the endless type, and has as its primary purposes the prevention of lateral displacement of the track from its proper position.

In many types of operations, as for example, those performed on hillsides by machines of the type referred to above, great lateral pressure is exerted on the tracks which frequently results in causing the track anges to engage against the flanges of the track rollers. In other words, if lateral pressure is exerted in one direction upon the track, it will tend toward lateral displacement, so that one track ilange thereof will be caused to bear frictional- 1y against an adjacent track roller. Under these conditions, the track suffers considerable wear |whereby the effective life of the track is Areduced to a high degree below that which is desirable. Furthermore, excessive lateral pressure sometimes causes the tracks to slide olf the associated support assembly, and this results in considerable lost time during the required repair period.

As has been stated above, one of the principal objects of this invention is to provide means that will prevent the track roller flange from engaging the adjacent track ange when relative lateral displacement of the rack and the -associated rollers tends to arise. Such lateral pressure may occur, it should be noted, not only when operations are being performed on hillsides and other side grades, but also during the ordinary turning of a tractor or bulldozer.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of the type clearly described supra, the device being comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, non-complex in construction and assembly, and durable in use.

Another object of this invention is to provide la device of the character stated which will be so formed as to be incorporated in conventional tractors presently in use, the incorporation of the device .being accomplished with but a minimum expense.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a means of the type described which will not interfere in any Away with normal running of the track upon its associated track rollers. The means, according to the present invention, is so designed, in tact, as to be ordinarily disposed substantially out of contact with the adjacent surfaces of the track, contact between the guide and the track being produced only when the aforementioned lateral pressures come into being. Y

Still another object of this invention is to provide -an attachment of the type referred to above which is so de- This invention contemplates, as a still further object,

the provision of a track guide attachment which does not u come into engagement with -a track ilan'ge except upon the occurrence of a lateral pressure thereon, and whereinl Patented June 201 rence of lateral pressure, whereby the track ange does. not undergo any appreciable Wear. f Other and further objects Iand advantages of thjeinstant invention will become more evident from a con` sideration of the following specication when read in the'vv light of the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a machine employing a conventional endless type track,; and illustrating the attachment according to this inven-. tion in its environment; i

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged detail cross-sectional viewof the roller track guide attachment constructed in ac-` cordance with this invention, FIGURE 2 being taken sub-4 stantially on the vertical plane of line 2 2 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side elevational view, partly in section, FIGURE 3 illustrating the relationship between track rollers, the track flanges, the track per se, and the roller track guide attachment constructed in accordance with this invention; `and FIGURE 4 is a top plan view, partly in cross-section, and again illustrating the association of the roller track guide with other 'component elements of a conventional p machine using an endless type track, FIGURE 4 being taken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 4-4 of FIGURE 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, refer-l ence numeral 10 (see FIGURE 1) designates, vin general, a conventional machine of the type referred toabove. v The machine 10 is adapted to be moved by means of Y endless type tracks 12 or endless treads which are-suitably mounted on opposite sides of the machine 10. The track 12 includes a plurality of links 14 disposed in endto-end relation, and with the adjacent end of each pair of links pivotally connected together by means to be described below. Each of the links 14 is integrally formed L with at least one transversely-extending ground-engaging 1l cleat 16. Referring now in particular to FIGURE 2 of the draw, ings, it is seen that each of the links 14 includes a sufbstantially rectangular tread portion 18 which is integral with the cleat 16 and from which the latter depends, Rigidly secured to each tread portion 18 and extending longitudinally thereof are a plurality of substantially upy right rectangular laterally-spaced and substantially p ar.- allel track anges 20. The flanges 20 adjacent each end thereof are apertured to receive a connecting pin and bushing 22, 24, respectively, whereby each link 14 is pivotally connected at each end 4with an immediately adjacent link. 'Ihis is conventional in this art. The machine 10, on opposite sides thereof, is provided with a drive sprocket 26 carried by an axle (not shown) :j journaled for rotation in bearing blocks 28. The bearing blocks 28 rest on the top wall 30 of a substantially hollow, elongated rectangular track roller frame 32 which includes, a pair of elongated, laterally-spaced, and substantially rectangular side walls 34, 36. A normally hori- A zontal lbottom wall 38 integrally connects the lower ends of the side walls 34, 36. A The above description pertaining to the track roller frame 32 is conventional in this art, but it should be here noted that each track 12 vis provided with a second track roller frame 32 disposed inwardly of the track roller frame 32, elements of the innermost form of the roller track frames being identified in the Idrawings by the same reference numerals, lbut to which has been assigned a prime mark to diferentiate one from 'the other. j

The side walls 36, 36 are maintained in spaced, sub- 'Y stantially parallel relationship Withrespect to one another by means of conventional cross straps 40 which ex-j4 tend therebetween and are rigidly secured thereto. As isf. seen in FIGURES 1 and 4, the cross straps 40 are longi- 3 tudinally spaced with respect to the side walls 36, 36. This, too, is conventional in machines of this type.

Also conventional in this art is the inverted substantially L-shaped rock guard 42, 42', the rock guards 42, 42' having foot portions 44, 44' lixedly secured to the bottom walls 38, 38' by means of bolts 46.

Journals 48 are xedly secured to the foot portions 4'4, 44' and support the opposed ends of a. shaft 50 having a pair of track rollers 52 integral therewith, each of the track rollers l52 `frictionally engaging, respectively, the upper ends of each of the track flanges 20. As is seen in the drawings, each of the track rollers 52 is provided with circumferential anges 54 which are disposed immediately adjacent the, upper ends of each of the track flanges 20. This is also conventional structure in this art.

' As has been stated above, one of the primary objects of this invention is to provide means for preventing engagement of the upper ends of the track flanges 20 with the track roller flanges 54 when a lateral pressure is exerted upon the track 12. To this end, this invention comprises an attachment which is designated, in general, by reference numeral S6. The attachment 56 includes diametrically-opposed, oppositely outwardly-bowed tongues 58 (see FIGURES 2 and 4) constituting extensions upon the upper end of a vertically-disposed sleeve 60. Formed in the tongues 58 are diametrically-opposed slots 62, in which is received one of the straps 40.

The tongues 58 serve a stabilizing function, that is, as will presently appear, they cooperate in holding the sleeve 60 in its proper, normally-vertical position. This will be described in detail hereinafter.

At the base of each the tongues 58, the sleeve 60 is provided with shoulders 64, and as is shown in FIGURE 2, there is provided an upper cap plate 66 formed as a iiat, circular member, having diametrically-opposed ears 68 supported upon the shoulders.

Screws 70 or equivalent fastening means are extended through the ears 68 into the shoulders 64 to tixedly secure the cap plate 66 in position extending across the upper portion of the sleeve 60, at the base of the stabilizing tongues 58 immediately below the strap 40.

Integrally formed upon diametrically-opposed portions of the sleeve 60, at the lower end thereof, are laterally outwardly-extending support bars 72 extending in coaxial alignment and projecting radially from the sleeve 60. Gussets 74 are formed integrally with the support bars and sleeve to reinforce the construction, and in the outer ends of the bars 72 axial, threaded openings 76 are formed, aligning with .smooth-walled openings 78 formed in the rock guards 42, 42' of the leg portions 80, 80' thereof. Bolts 82, 84 extend through the openings 78 and are threaded in the axial recesses 76. The bolt 82 has a grease fitting 86 through which lubricant can be forced under pressure to pass through a grease passage 88 into a chamber 90 surrounding a vertical stem 92 which extends axially within the sleeve 60.

It will be seen that when the bars 72 are secured to the foot portions 80, 80 of the rock guards 42, 42', with the slots 62 receiving one of the straps 40, the sleeve 60 will be held in a vertical, immovable position relative thereto.

At its upper end, the stem 92 is journalled in a tapered roller bearing 94, the stem 92 having a cap 95 secured to the upper end thereof by means of bolts 98. As is seen in FIGURE 2, the bolts 98'are threaded into longitudinal recesses formed in the upper end of the stern 92 to hold the bearing 94. Suitable shims (not shown) could be interposed between the plate or cap 95 and the bearing 94 to permit adjustment of the latter.

The stem 92 is formed in its lower end with a collar 100, defining a shoulder 102 immediately above which is a tapered roller bearing 104 separated from the shoulder 102 by one or more shims 106. A grease seal 108 is secured by screws 110 to the undersides of the bars 72 in position extending about the collar 100.

Integral or otherwise made rigid with the collar of the stem 92 is a guide roller 112, rotating in a horizontal plane. As is seen in the several figures of the drawings, the guide roller 112 is so positioned as to be disposed between the adjacent sides of each of the track anges 20 in close proximity thereto, but slightly spaced therefrom.

This completes the description of the attachment.

Ordinarily, there is no attachment such as is designated at 56 herein. Therefore, if lateral pressure should be caused to exert itself in the track 12, relative to the track roller 52, the tread 18 tends to be displaced laterally with respect to the rollers 52 and their respective lianges 54. Assuming, for the sake of example, that a section of the track 12 is tending to move laterally to the left, as viewed in FIGURE 2, the left-hand one of the anges 20, in this gure of the drawings, would be brought to bear forcibly against the inner face of the left-hand track roller ange 54, shown in the same ligure of the drawings. This causes great and rapid wear upon the tracks 12 and often causes them to be forced off the roller assembly completely.

It follows that during normal operation of the machine 10, when there are no lateral pressures tending to displace the tread section portions 18 laterally with respect to the rollers 52 and their respective flanges 54, the anges 54 will be out of contact with the anges 20 and the roller 112. There is no wear in these circumstances on the anges 20. However, when the lateral pressure, as for example, to the left in FIGURE 2 occurs, the right-hand ange 20, in conventional constructions, will come to bear against the right side of the roller 112, viewing these components as in FIGURE 2. This will occur before the lefthand flange 20 can come to bear against the left-hand ange 54 of the left-hand roller 52 in FIGURE l.

Immediately upon contact of the roller 112 with the right-hand flange 20, and since the anges 20 are traveling in the direction of its length, the roller 112 will begin to turn about the axis defined by the stem 92. There is no appreciable wear, accordingly, on the right-hand ange 20 because it is kept out of contact with the immediately adjacent roller ange 54 and friction between the engaging members is held to a minimum, due to the free rotation of the roller 112 caused by the longitudinal movement of the engaging ilange 20.

The attachment as constructed in accordance with the present invention may be incorporated in existing tractors, bulldozers, and similar machines using endless type tracks, and in the instant case the attachment has been shown in conjunction with a conventional tractor. It will be appreciated that the attachment may be placed in use on machines of this type and a very low expense incurred, since no modification or re-design of any kind 1s required in the conventionallyexisting machines other than, perhaps, the boring of the openings 78 in the rock guards 42, 42.

The sizes of the attachment would vary according to lthe dierent makes and types of machines upon which it is intended to secure the same. Further, there may be certain modifications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Still further, it will be understood that the attachment 56 may be used in any desired number, and may be employed wherever desired, at such distances apart as will insure that the tread lianges 20 will, at all times, be kept completely or substantially out of contact with the track roller flange 54, regardless of the amount of lateral pressures tending to relatively laterally displace the tread portions 18.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confined to specific use on tractors, referred to above, since it -may be utilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the invention to be necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated and described, since such construction is `only intended to be illustrative of the principles, it being considered that the invention comprehends any minor change in constructhe`vehicle adjacent said tread, said tread being formed with a pair of laterally-spaced tread anges, and a plurality of pairs of track rollers, each roller of each pair thereof having a circular ange formed thereon, one roller of each pair of said rollers engaging, respectively, one of said tread flanges of said pair thereof with said roller ilan'ges, respectively, of each pair of said rollers being juxtaposed and normally laterally spaced from each remote side of said pair of tread flanges, a tread `guide limiting the lateral displacement of said tread relative to the support structure and said rollers to an extent that would xedly bind a tread ange against an adjacent roller flange, comprising: a support sleeve; means for mounting the same on said support structure; a stem extending Within said sleeve; and a guide roller carried by lthe stem and disposed between said pair of tread flanges, so as to enlgage one of said tread flanges and thereby limit the tread against substantial lateral movement whenever said tread tends to be displaced in a lateral direction toward said track roller flange adjacent the other o-f said tread langes.

2. In a vvehicle of the type having a ground-engaging endless tread, the combination of a support structure for the vehicle adjacent said tread, said tread being formed with a pair of laterally-spaced tread flanges, and a plurality of pairs of track rollers, each roller of each pair thereof having a circular ange formed thereon, one roller of each pair of said rollers engaging, respectively, one of said tread flanges of said pair thereof with said roller flanges, respectively, of each pair of said rollers being juxtaposed and laterally spaced from each remote side of said pair of tread flanges, a tread guide limiting the lateral displacement of said tread relative to the support structure and said rollers to an extent that would frictionally bind one of said tread anges against an adjacent roller flange, comprising: a support sleeve; bars projecting laterally and outwardly from opposite sides of said sleeve and xedly connected to portions of said support structure extending at opposite sides of said sleeve, thus to mount said sleeve upon said support structure; a stem extending within said sleeve; a guide roller carried by said stem and disposed between said pair of tread ilanges, so as to engage one of said tread anges and thereby limit the tread against substantial lateral movement whenever said tread tends to be displaced in a lateral direction relative to said track roller ange immediately adjacent the other of said tread anges.

3. In a vehicle of the type having a ground-engaging endless tread,the combination of a support structure for the vehicle adjacent said tread, said tread being formed with a pair of laterally-spaced tread flanges, and a plurality of pairs of track rollers, each roller of each pair thereof having a circular flange formed thereon, one roller of each pair-of said rollers engaging, respectively, one of said tread anges of said pair thereof With said roller flanges,

respectively, of each pair of rollers being juxtaposed and laterally spaced fromeach remote side of said pair of tread flanges, a tread guide limiting the lateral displacement of said tread relative to the support structure and said roller anges to an extent that would frictionally bind one of said tread flanges against the immediately adjacent roller flange, comprising: a support sleeve; means securing said support sleeve on said support structure; a stem journaled within said sleeve; and a guide roller rigid with said stemubelowsaid sleeve and-disposed between said tread anges in position to rotate on an axis perpendicular to the axes on which the respective track rollers rotate, said guide roller being disposed in position to engage either one of said tread flanges against substantial lateral movement whenever the tread flanges tend to be displaced in a lateral direction relative to said track roller anges.

4. In a vehicle of the type having a ground-engaging endless tread, the combination of a support structure for r saidvehicle adjacent said tread, said tread being formed with a pair of laterally-spaced tread ilanges, and a plurali' ity of pairs of track rollers, each roller of each pair thereof having a circular ange formed thereon, one roller of each pair of said rollers engaging, respectively, one of said tread flanges of said pair thereof with said roller flanges, respectively, of eachpair of said rollers being, juxtaposed and laterally spaced from each remote sideof said pair of tread ilange, a tread guide limiting the lateral displacement relative to said support structure and said roller lianges to an extent that would frictionally bind one of said tread anges against an adjacent roller flange,

comprising: a support sleeve; means mounting said supi port sleeve on said support structure; a stem journaled within said sleeve; anda guide roller rigid with said stem below said sleeve and disposed between said tread flanges in position to rotate on an axis perpendicular to the axes on which the respective track roller anges rotate, said guide roller being disposed in position to engage either one of said 'tread llanges to prevent substantial lateral movement whenever the tread tends to be displaced in a lateral direction relative to said track roller flanges, said stem being supported Within said sleeve against axial dis- E placement relative to said sleeve.

5. In a vehicle of the type having a ground-engaging endless tread, the combination of a support structure for i the vehicle adjacent said tread, said tread being formed l with a pair of laterally-spaced tread flanges, and a plurality of pairs of track rollers, each roller of each pair thereof having a circular flange formed thereon, one roller of each pair of said rollers engaging, respectively, one of said tread flanges of said pair thereof with said roller flanges, respectively, of each pair of rollers being juxtaposed and `laterally spaced from each remote side of said pair of tread tlanges, a tread guide limiting the lateral displacement of said tread relative to the support structure and rollers to an extent that would frictionally bind a tread ange against an adjacent roller flange, comprising: a

support sleeve; means mounting said-support sleeve on said support structure; a stem journaled within said sleeve;

and a `guide roller rigid with the stem below the sleeve Y and disposed between said pair of anges in position to rotate on an axis perpendicular to the axes about which the respective track rollers rotate, said yguide roller beingy disposed proximate to but spaced from said track anges and in position to engage either one of said tread flanges under substantial lateral movement of said tread whenv ever said tread tends to be displaced in a lateral direction relative to said track roller llanges, said stem being supported within said sleeve against axial displacement relative to said sleeve, said means mounting said sleeve on said support structure including bars rigid With and projecting radially outwardly from diametrically-opposed v portions of said sleeve, said bars being xedly connected to said support structure, one of said bars having a grease passage, said stem being spaced from the wall of said sleeve to define a lubricant chamber, said passage opening into said chamber.

endlesstread, the combination Qf a support structure for thetvehicle adjacent said tread, said tread being formed with a pair of laterally-spaced tread llanges, and a plurality of pairs of track rollers, each roller of each pair thereofv having a circular tlange formed thereon, one roller of each pair of said rollers engaging, respectively, one of said tread flanges of said pair thereof with said roller anges, respectively, of each pair of rollers being j 6. In a vehicle of the type having a ground-engaging mounting the same on said support structure; a stem journaled within said sleeve; and a guide roller rigid with the stem below said sleeve and disposed between said pairs of tread flanges in position rotating on an axis perpendicular to the axes about Which the respective track roller anges rotate, said guide roller being disposed proximate to but spaced from said tread anges and'in position to engage either one of said pair of anges against substantial lateral movement whenever said tread tends to be displaced in a lateral direction relative to said track rollers, said stem being supported within said sleeve against axial displacement relative to said sleeve, said means mounting said sleeve on said support structure including bars rigid with and projecting radially outwardly from diametrically-opposed portions of said sleeve, said bars being fixedly connected to said support structure, one of said bars having a grease passage, said stem being spaced from the wall of said sleeve to dene a lubricant chamber, said passage opening into said chamber, said sleeve mounting means further including extensions on the upper end of said sleeve having slots receiving an overhead portion of said support structure to which said sleeve is connected.

7. In a vehicle of the type having a ground-engaging endless tread, the combination of a support structure for the vehicle adjacent said tread, said tread being formed with a pair of laterally-spaced tread flanges, and a plurality of pairs of track rollers, each roller of each pair thereof having a circular flange formed thereon, one roller of each pair of said rollers engaging, respectively, one of said tread flanges of a pair thereof with said roller anges, respectively, of each pair of rollers being juxtaposed and laterally spaced from each remote side of said pair of tread flanges, a tread guide limiting the lateral displacement of said tread relative to the support structure and roller anges to an extent that would frictionally bind a tread ange against an adjacent roller ange, comprising: a support sleeve; means mounting said support sleeve on said support structure in a normally upright position; said sleeve having an internal chamber at the lower end thereof; a stem journaled within said sleeve; a guide roller rigid with said stern below said sleeve and disposed between said pair of flanges in position to rotate on lan axis perpendicular to the axes about which the respective track roller tlanges rotate, said roller being disposed in position to engage either one of said tread anges under substantial lateral movement whenever said tread tends to be displaced in a lateral direction relative to said track roller anges and roller bearings interposed between said sleeve and said stem at opposite ends of said chamber to provide a journal for said stern Vwithin said sleeve.

8. In a vehicle of the type having a ground-engaging endless tread, the combination of a support structure for the vehicle adjacent said tread, said tread being formed with a pair of laterally-spaced tread flanges, and a plurality of pairs of track rollers, each roller of each pair thereof having a circular flange formed thereon, one roller of each pair of said rollers engaging, respectively, one of said tread flanges of said pair thereof with each roller flange, respectively, of each pair of rollers being juxtaposed and laterally spaced from each remote side of said pair of tread anges, a track guide limiting the lateral displacement of said tread relative to `the support structure and roller flanges to an extent that would frictionally bind one of said tread flanges against an adjacent roller flange, comprising: a support sleeve; means mounting said support sleeve on said support structure; a stem eirtending within said sleeve; and a guide roller carried by said stem and disposed between said pair of anges, so as to engage one of said pair of flanges and thereby limit said tread against substantial lateral movement whenever said tread tends to be displaced in a lateral direction relative to said track roller anges, said guide roller being closely spaced lfrom the respective pair of flanges, a distance such as to cause said guide roller to be engaged by one llange before the other flange can engage the immediately adjacent track roller flange.

9. ln a vehicle of the type including a ground-engaging endless tread for the vehicle, the combination of a support structure for the vehicle adjacent said tread, said tread including generally at, pivotally-joined portions eaeh of which is formed with a pair of tread anges spaced laterally from each other and inwardly from the respective side edges of said portions, and a plurality of pairs of track rollers, each roller of each pair thereof having a circular ilange thereon, said rollers rotating on axes parallel to the plane of said portions and peg ripherally contacting, respectively, said tread anges, said roller flanges of each pair of rollers being disposed adjacent, respectively, the remote sides of said pair of said tread anges in spaced relation relative thereto, a tread guide for -limiting lateral displacement of said tread portions relative to said support structure and said rollers to an extent that would frictionally bind one of said tread flanges against its immediately adjacent roller ange, comprising: a guide roller disposed in the space between said tread portion anges in close proximity at its periphery to said last-named flanges, for confinement of each tread ange between said guide roller and the adjacent tread roller flange; and means providing a mounting of said guide roller on said support structure, said guide roller being `freely rotatable on said means on an axis normal to that portion of said tread disposed immediately therebelow, said tread anges being so positioned with respect to said guide roller so as to effect engagement with one of said tread anges with said guide roller when said tread portion tends toward lateral displacement, and before engagement of the other of said tread anges with said flange of said track roller immediately adjacent thereto.

10. In a vehicle of the type including a gr0und-en gaging endless tread, the combination of claim 9, and said track rollers being symmetrically disposed with respect to said guide roller and the opposed remotesides thereof, the distance between said guide roller peripheries and each track roller being greater than the width of said tread llanges therebetween to an extent eiective to space said guide roller and said track roller flanges outwardly from, the sides of said tread anges disposed immediately adjacent thereto when the tread is in a centered position relative to the support structure as distinguished from a laterally-displaced position.

1l. In a vehicle of the type including a ground-engaging endlesstread, the combination of claim 10, and said track roller anges are normally disposed in spaced relation relative to the tread portion flanges at all times and away from said guide roller, and the latter being normally out of contact with either of said pair of flanges on said, tread portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 939,334 schmidt Nov. 9, 1909 1,054,943 schmidt et ai. Mar. 4, 1913 2,618,516 smith Nov. 1s, 1952 

